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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon
10.36.1910.36.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.36.20

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.36.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रतियाते तु देवर्षौ कंस आभाष्य केशिनम् ।

प्रेषयामास हन्येतां भवता रामकेशवौ ॥ २० ॥

pratiyāte tu devarṣau

kaṁsa ābhāṣya keśinam

preṣayām āsa hanyetāṁ

bhavatā rāma-keśavau

Translation

After Nārada left, King Kaṁsa summoned Keśī and ordered him, “Go kill Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.”

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kaṁsa Sends Another Demon

  1. 1

    After Nārada left, Kaṁsa summoned Keśī.

  2. 2

    Kaṁsa ordered Keśī to kill Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Before bringing Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to Mathurā, Kaṁsa tried sending one more demon to Vṛndāvana. He persisted in his opposition.

Key points from the purport
  • Before having Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma brought to Mathurā, Kaṁsa tried sending one more demon to Vṛndāvana.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Attachment → Impending loss. The approach of departure gives pastoral love a poignant edge.

Chapters 34–38 of Canto 10: Further Vraja events and Akrūra's arrival. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, while being honored by the demigods and cowherd boys, returned to the village. A short time later Nārada Muni, the great sage among the demigods, came to see King Kaṁsa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.36
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pratiyātehaving left
  2. tuthen
  3. deva-ṛṣauthe sage among the demigods
  4. kaṁsaḥKing Kaṁsa
  5. ābhāṣyaaddressing
  6. keśinamthe demon Keśī
  7. preṣayām āsahe sent him
  8. hanyetāmthe two should be killed
  9. bhavatāby you
  10. rāma-keśavauBalarāma and Kṛṣṇa
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “king”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Kaṁsa’s repeated plotting reveal about his unwillingness to give up hostility?

Practice

Reread Kaṁsa’s command and briefly reflect on the difference between opposing Kṛṣṇa and wanting to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.36's connections

Live this todayKaṁsa Sends Another DemonThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.36.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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